Earthworm invasion in Chayu River valley of Tibet under climate change

Abstract

Abstract Climate change affects biological invasion. To understand the invasion pattern of alien species of earthworm in Gongrigabu river watershed of Chayu river in Tibet under climate change, the participate rural appraise (PRA) was applied to investigate and analyze the peasant’s perception of the appearance time and harm of alien species of earthworm in 13 villages. The results showed that the local climate was warming and drying, and climate warming was the main reason for the invasion of alien species of earthworms. Since the appearance of alien species of earthworm at an altitude of 1528 m in 2008, they had invaded the upstream area at a climbing speed of 71.43 m·a-1 and had been outbreaking in areas below 2028 m. For the climate change adaptation measures, the local peasants should change the crop layout.